Boston Scientific Up on Stent Sales

Updated from April 5

Boston Scientific(BSX Quote) shares rose Tuesday after the company late Monday said that early sales of its Taxus drug-coated stent for heart disease patients have exceeded expectations.

The Natick, Mass.-based company said after the bell that the stent -- which is inserted into arteries to facilitate blood flow and reduce the risk of arterial clogging -- produced $98 million in U.S. sales between March 8 and March 31, according to preliminary results. Official results will be published in two weeks when the company issues its financial report for the quarter ended March 31.

Shares rose 54 cents, or 1.2%, to $46.35 in premarket trading. ...